Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Homecoming is a traditional celebration in American high schools, which takes different forms at different schools. At our high school, the celebration includes a week full of activities that culminates in a Friday night football games at which the Homecoming King and Queen are crowned. Alumni are invited back, but for our school, that's not a major part of the festivities. The school does get decorated in pumpkins (including along the roof line), and the four classes (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior) compete in a variety of spirit competitions, including a skit, a dance/lip sync, a relay race and a mural that goes up in the gym. The theme for this year's Homecoming was public service, and each class was assigned a group (freshman were doctors; sophomores were firefighters; juniors were police; and seniors were the armed forces). I was really happy (and a little surprised) when Clara said that she had gotten a bunch of her friends to sign up with her to do the class mural.For this week's look up//look down photo pairing, then, two photos from Homecoming 2013: looking up at the pumpkins on the roof line and looking down at the sophomore class mural in progress (the High School mascot is a cougar, in case you're wondering why there's a great big cougar in there!).And I'm wondering, is Homecoming a tradition where you are? If so, how is it celebrated?

16 comments:

Wow, that is some mural! Clara and her friends are clearly very talented. This is the first time I have ever heard of HomeComing - I fear our crowded yet narrowly-focused National Curriculum would never have room for anything imaginative like this!

We don't have Homecoming either - in fact, at this time of the year it is full on with assessments and report writing about to begin for teachers as we near the end of the academic year ... 9 weeks to go.

fabulous mural and I love all the pumpkins. No homecoming in Scotland either - thanks for the explanation as I've seen it mentioned before and never knew what it was. I don't think alumni ever return to state schools here

But why is it called Homecoming? when it is at the start of the School year and who gets to be homecoming Queen and King? and does it only happen in High school?No Homecoming in Wales either. I have read references to it in novels and seen things in films but none explain where the term comes from or what it is all about.We need to know!

Awesome mural! We do Homecoming here & it's pretty much the same with football on Friday & the announcement of the King, Queen & court & then there is a dance Saturday and the homecoming court ride on the school's float in the Xmas parade. The celebration isn't limited to the high school, all the schools participate in themed activities all week and then the students get in free to the game Friday.

We definitely have Homecoming in Texas. It is called homecoming because Alumni return to school for the big football game on Friday and all the activities including Pep Rallies and Tailgating the day of the big football game. (I guess you can also call it a reunion.) Students who have dates for the Homecoming Dance wear mums to the game. Students vote for the Homecoming King and Queen and are crowned at the Homecoming Dance. Colleges and Universities in Texas also have a Homecoming.

Maria "Rinda" Ontiveros

Artist & Blogger

2016 Summertime Scavenger Hunt

The List!

1. A "wild heart" - a naturally occurring heart (like the rock above, but it doesn't have to be a rock)2. A footprint or pawprint3. A skeleton, bone or x-ray4. A book or magazine read during 20165. A porch or deck6. A camper (caravan)7. A family gathering8. A drawing, art project, artistic photograph, scrapbook page, greeting card, or art journal page created by you.9. Someone playing with, in, or around water.10. A bicycle11. Fresh produce12. A window13. The moon14. A buffet of food15. A team logo16. A map showing a trip taken during the time period17. Twins18. A supermarket cart, basket or trolley full of groceries 19. A seasonal cocktail or beverage20. Someone laughing21. A photograph of you with a newspaper or calendar page from the time period covered in the Hunt. Note: you may not use a substitute for this item.Alternatives - if you're having trouble finding any of the above, you may substitute from this list (but you may not substitute for item #21):alternative 1: a lighthousealternative 2: a baby (human or animal)